Rosslyn BID Perception Survey Shows Growing Resident Advocacy and Employee Satisfaction
2026 findings reflect Rosslyn's strength as a place to live and work, while highlighting the role of engagement, amenities and public spaces in building a more connected neighborhood
Rosslyn, VA, October 28, 2026 – The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID), a 17-block mixed-use urban hub in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, today announced findings from its 2026 Perception Survey, an annual community-wide survey measuring how residents, employees, visitors and property owners experience Rosslyn and what would make the neighborhood an even better place to live, work and visit.
This year's survey reflects Rosslyn's continued evolution as a neighborhood where residential growth and a strong employment base exist side by side. Residents are increasingly recommending Rosslyn as a place to live, while employees report high satisfaction with their experience in the neighborhood. The survey also shows a strong relationship between community engagement and a sense of belonging, while offering insight into the amenities and experiences residents and employees want next.
Key findings include:
- Residents are increasingly advocating for Rosslyn. 85% of residents surveyed would recommend living in Rosslyn, up from 65% in 2025. Across all respondents, 63% would recommend visiting Rosslyn, compared with 42% last year.
- Employees are highly satisfied with their experience. Rosslyn employees rate their happiness working in the neighborhood 4.3 out of 5, with more than half giving Rosslyn a five-star rating. Thirty-five percent of employees report working in the office five days a week, while hybrid work remains common.
- Engagement is closely connected to belonging. Respondents who attended at least one Rosslyn community event were 74% more likely to report a strong sense of belonging than non-attendees. Among respondents highly aware of BID activities, 63% report a strong sense of belonging.
Rosslyn also continues to receive strong marks for the fundamentals that support a thriving urban neighborhood. Ninety-five percent of respondents feel safe during the day, 88% are satisfied with the cleanliness of public spaces, and 92% rate transportation and mobility as highly important. When asked how they describe Rosslyn today, 81% described it as "convenient and connected."
"Listening to our community is fundamental to how we approach our work," said Mary-Claire Burick, President of the Rosslyn BID. "These findings help us understand what's working and where we can make a difference, whether that's something we deliver directly or an issue we champion with our partners. Our role is to bring the voices of Rosslyn's residents, employees, and businesses into those conversations and help create a neighborhood where people choose to live, work, invest, and spend time."
Community Feedback Points to What's Next
As Rosslyn's residential and employment communities continue to grow and evolve, the survey also provides insight into the experiences and amenities people want next.
Public gathering spaces remain the community's top placemaking priority, followed by enhanced lighting, and seasonal décor and murals. Feedback from the 2025 survey has already helped shape the BID's work. After respondents identified more parks and gathering spaces as their top priority, the BID and its partners launched the NOW Pop-Up Park. Among 2026 respondents who visited the NOW, 77% rated their experience good or excellent.
Additional retail and restaurant offerings remain another clear opportunity. More than half of respondents (56%) want more sit-down restaurants, 44% would like more grocery and specialty food stores, and 43% are interested in more activity-based venues. Lounges and bars, and music and entertainment venues also ranked among the top five desired amenities.
The BID shares these findings with property owners, developers, brokers and other partners to provide insight into community priorities and advocate for amenities that could strengthen the neighborhood experience. Decisions regarding retailer recruitment, leasing and tenant mix remain with individual property owners and their leasing teams.
The 2026 Perception Survey will help inform the Rosslyn BID's strategic planning and future programs, with a continued focus on strengthening the everyday experience for people who live and work in Rosslyn. As the neighborhood enters its next chapter, the BID will continue working with its partners to enhance public spaces, maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, advocate for the amenities and improvements the community values, and create opportunities for people to connect.
Download the full 2026 Perception Survey Report at rosslynva.org/survey.
Rosslyn Business Improvement District
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District provides high-quality, customer-oriented services designed to define, enhance and continually improve Rosslyn for those who work, live, visit and do business here. As a resourceful and collaborative organization, we work in partnership with our key stakeholders and Arlington County to create a welcoming, creative, thriving environment that supports Rosslyn's residents and a wide range of business types, from innovative start-ups to established Fortune 500 companies and international associations. We take an active leadership role in all that we do, serving as a collaborator, community builder, and agent for positive change. For more information, please visit www.rosslynva.org.